Time Course of Splenic Cytokine mRNA and Hormones during a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Toads

Author(s)

Floreste, Felipe R. ; Titon Jr, Braz ; Titon, Stefanny C. M. ; Muxel, Sandra M. ; Gomes, Fernando R. ; Assis, Vania R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY; v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2022-04-01.

Abstract

Synopsis Inflammation comprises alterations in glucocorticoids (in amphibians, corticosterone-CORT) and melatonin (MEL) levels, two hormones with immunomodulatory effects on cytokine production in several vertebrates. Cytokines mediate inflammation progress differently depending on their function. While some are secreted during the acute phase of the immune response, others prevail during the resolution phase. Major efforts have been made to understand the interaction of endocrine mediators and cytokine production in endotherms, but little is known for ectotherms so far. Characterizing the stages of inflammation and their interplay with endocrine mediators is crucial for an assertive and integrative approach to amphibian physiology and ecoimmunology. Herein, we investigated CORT and MEL plasma levels as well as splenic cytokine (IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10) mRNA levels during the progression of the inflammatory response in toads (Rhinella diptycha) in four time-points (1, 3, 6, and 18 h) after an immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using independent samples. Toads were responsive to LPS, with all hormones and cytokines affected by LPS. IL-1 beta and IL-6 were up-regulated after 1 h, but IL-1 beta decreased right after 3 h, while IL-6 sustained up-regulation throughout all time-points. IL-10 had not been detected until 6 h post-LPS-stimulation, when it showed up-regulation, along with a CORT increase at the same time-point. After 18 h, CORT levels were still high, and IL-1 beta was up-regulated again, along with up-regulated IL-6 and an IL-10 decrease. We also found positive correlations between IL-1 beta with IL-6 for LPS and saline groups. LPS-treated individuals showed an overall decrease in MEL plasma levels compared to saline counterparts. Our results showcase the early endocrine and molecular events of the amphibian immune response. We also report activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis during inflammation and increasing evidence for an immune-pineal axis to be described in amphibians. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/23801-4 - Immunomodulatory effects of acute stress in toads from Genus Rhinella
• Grantee: Vania Regina de Assis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/16320-7 - Impacts of climate/environmental change on the fauna: an integrative approach
• Grantee: Carlos Arturo Navas Iannini
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/01782-0 - Relations between environmental and physiological conditions of activity and its importance for the distribution alterations of toads with climatic changes
• Grantee: Braz Titon Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/24950-4 - Temporal dynamics of the inflammatory response in amphibians
• Grantee: Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/00370-6 - Cytokines gene expression alterations in Rhinella toads following an immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
• Grantee: Felipe Rangel Floreste
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master